If you are considering adding a deck to your home, you are improving the appearance of your yard and increasing overall value. While using the right lumber and materials is extremely important, you also have to keep in mind some common mistakes that could occur during the construction process. Whether you consider yourself a weekend DIY warrior or you are hiring a professional contractor to build your deck, keep in mind there are some issues that could pop up. A timber decking professional can help you reach your goals of a beautiful finished masterpiece, but just keep in mind there are some issues that could arise. Here are five of the most common ones to keep in mind throughout the construction process.
1. Skipping the Building Permit
If you are planning on doing a deck project on your own, you may not have taken into consideration the importance of a building permit. Licensed contractors and builders always obtain a building permit prior to starting a deck construction project. Failure to do so can have severe consequences such as overlooking important safety concerns, making sure the design meets code and ultimately receiving a fine or penalty for failing to pull a permit.
A proper permit should include drawings or blueprints of the proposed deck plan as well as any other specs related to the building plan. In some cases, a building inspector will come and visit the property and speak with the homeowner or contractor prior to project launch. He will ask questions about the safety and structure plan prior to issuing the permit. Keep in mind that the inspector will also visit once the project is complete to assure that code has been met and the final result is safe and effective.
2. Using the Wrong Fasteners
Fasteners play a very important role in the overall secure attachment of the deck to the house or existing structure. There are several fasteners to choose and each one has a specific use. For example, you wouldn’t use roofing or siding fasteners for a wood deck. Make sure the product clearly states that the fasteners are for deck purposes or hardwoods only. Glen Mathewson from Fine Homebuilding explains that fasteners should coincide and snugly fit joist hangers and reinforced connections throughout the deck base. Keep in mind that a stainless steel fastener is one of the most long-lasting fasteners on the market. Most stainless steel-based fasteners come with a lifetime guarantee and will last longer than many of the materials that the deck is built with.
3. No Railings
Maybe you want a deck that sits low to the ground. While this design is very popular with single story homes, or decks that are attached to a pool or hot tub, it can be dangerous. Having no rails can cause huge safety issues and insurance companies may refuse coverage if safety measures are not met. Blueprints will have to be reworked and accommodated in order to support the railings and stairs of a deck. The deck has to meet code and if the building inspector finds it unsafe, the entire deck will have to be rebuilt. As a standard, most decks that are over 30 inches above grade should have a guardrail. Check with the building inspector prior to breaking ground to make sure you have accurate measurements in place.
4. Unsealed Wood
Once the deck is complete and you are ready to wrap up the job, there are some things to consider about the longevity of the deck. If you want your deck to last for years, consider applying a finish or sealer. There are three main types of sealants or stains:
• Water-based stains
• Oil-based stains
• Water-based epoxy-fortified
Sealing the wood surface will help protect the wood throughout the years and reduce the chance of the wood splitting and the deck moulding or rotting. A sealed wood finish also helps keep the appearance of the deck looking newer longer. As a timber decking provider, we carry the finest hardwoods that are suited to your specific budget or design plan.
5. Freestanding Decks
It is very important to do a standard soil test prior to planning a deck job. Unless the footings of the deck are secured under the ground with a concrete base, they are often supported above the soil line in top of the ground or back fill. The result is that if the soil shifts or gets wet, the deck will settle and shift. This is not considered safe and may not pass code. Use a foundation block that is set below the frost line or at least 12 inches beneath undisturbed soil. Failure to do so could cause the entire deck to collapse or fall.
WA Timber Decking specialise in Timber Decking designs, installations and maintenance in Perth, Western Australia.
I appreciate you mentioning the importance of railings of decks. Forgetting to put railing can be quite dangerous, even if it is low to the ground. I was aware of this, but not the other tips. Thank you for bringing them to my attention. I plan to build a deck this summer in my backyard, and these should help make the process go more smoothly.